MERCED, Calif. - The University of California, Merced women's soccer team fell 4-1 to Cal State East Bay in their nonconference finale Saturday evening on Bobcat Field.
Jenn Salinger was responsible for the Bobcats (1-3-1) lone goal, a contested straightaway shot from 20 yards out that tied the game at one in the 14th minute.
Salinger settled an Isabella Spiva pass with her body before powering a right-footed shot around a defender and past the diving keeper. Salinger's goal was her second of the season to move into a tie with freshman Haylee Heffner for the team lead.
Spiva's assist was her first of the season.
Cal State East Bay opened up their four-goal affair in the 11th minute when Riley Spitzer delivered a strike from 35 yards out.
2X All-CCAA postseason honoree Tami Kwong netted the Pioneers eventual game-winning goal in the 23rd minute, having to just tap a Kylie Newman pass beyond the goal line with no keeper in the net.
East Bay's Majae De Leon scored goals three (44') and four (80').
The Bobcats were outshot 12-8 and lost the corner kick battle, 9-4.
Salinger held team-high with four shots, while Stephanie Medina had two shots on goal. Spiva and D Covarrbuias also recorded a shot.
Aside from Salinger, Spiva was the closest Bobcat to scoring a goal. Jocelyne Garcia sent a ball into the box that Spiva and the Pioneers keeper Jordan Smith got to at nearly the exact same time. Spiva took a shot that Smith stopped while on the ground before an East Bay defender eventually cleared it. That UC Merced threat came a couple minutes before Salinger scored her goal.
Both of Medina's shots on goal were from well outside the box, including one off a free kick.
Saturday night's game saw the highest amount of foul calls in a UC Merced game this season. East Bay was whistled for 17, UC Merced had 13 called against them.
UC Merced was also issued two yellow cards.
Looking ahead, UC Merced begins California Pacific Conference play at Sierra Nevada University on Sunday, September 26. First touch from Tahoe Vista, Calif., is scheduled for 12:00pm.
